Agricultural Environmental Management
It’s Good Business!
By Barbara Silvestri
For many farmers, environmental stewardship is viewed not just as the
‘right thing to do,’ but increasingly as an important strategic asset for their
businesses. Farmers know that in order for their businesses to remain
strong, they need to be vigilant about protecting the environment. New
York’s Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) program provides the tools to help accomplish
both.
“In today’s economy, we have to use all the resources available to remain viable,” said John Kriese of
Spring Pond Farm in Yates County. “The AEM Program has certainly helped me to continue my
commitment to conservation and benefit my bottom line. Through analyzing my soils and my farming
operation the quality of cattle that we now produce has greatly increased because of the AEM practices
that we have put into effect.”
A Voluntary Program
AEM is a voluntary, incentive-based program that assists farmers in their environmental stewardship
efforts and protects the quality of their farms’ natural resources, which are the foundation of their longterm economic viability. The AEM program coordinates agricultural and environmental conservation
agencies and programs, as well as private sector consultants, to provide a one-stop resource for services.
All agricultural counties in New York State are conducting AEM programs, and participation has grown
to include nearly 10,000 farms.
Farmers work with a team of local AEM resource professionals to develop and implement
comprehensive, site-specific farm plans using a
five-tiered approach:
An AEM Risk Assessment can help you:
Tier 1: Inventory current activities, future
plans and potential environmental
 Document your environmental practices and the
concerns.
benefits your farm provides to your community.
Tier 2: Document current land
 Assess vulnerable areas of the farm that may present
stewardship; assess and prioritize
environmental risk.
areas of concern.
 Identify practices at risk for regulatory action or
Tier 3: Develop a conservation plan
neighbor complaints to prevent hassles and fines.
addressing concerns and
opportunities tailored to farm
 Determine if your water supply or neighboring wells
goals.
are at risk for contamination.
Tier 4: Implement the plan utilizing
 Qualify for state and federal cost-share grants to
available financial, educational
address high risk issues.
and technical assistance.
Tier 5: Conduct evaluations to ensure the
 Acquire information for long-term business planning
and better positioning in the marketplace.
protection of farm viability and
the environment.
 Consider conservation practices that could save you
The first step to take part in AEM is to contact
your County Soil and Water Conservation
District and complete the Tier 1 Questionnaire
and the Tier 2 Risk Assessment, which consists
money when implemented.

Earn “green” payments or participate in farmland
protection programs.
of a set of worksheets appropriate to your farm operation. This is an efficient way to take a
comprehensive look at potential environmental impacts and identify the resources available to address
them. It will document what you are doing to protect the environment and prioritize areas for
improvement.
AEM addresses more than just nutrient management. The risk assessment covers farmstead water
supplies, pasture management, pesticide use, and many other farm practices. There are also worksheets
specific to equine operations, greenhouses, and vineyards. The risk assessment can even provide
resources to build and maintain positive relationships with neighbors.
An environmentally friendly farm conservation plan can maximize profits by enhancing soil quality,
improving herd health, and reducing unnecessary applications of fertilizers and pesticides. AEM helps
manage pollutants such as manure and fertilizer nutrients, handle barnyard runoff and process wastewater,
conserve soil, prevent sedimentation, and protect drinking water.
Community Benefits
AEM practices on the farm also provide economic and environmental benefits to the community. When
coupled with effective conservation practices, well managed farms are the preferred land use to improve
water quality and protect valuable natural resources, which ultimately improves the lives of all New
Yorkers.
Farms are important stewards of New York’s natural resources, and the AEM program supports farms of
all types and sizes in their efforts to be both environmentally sound and economically viable. In this time
of environmental awareness, farm-neighbor tensions, and high production costs, AEM’s technical and
financial resources are particularly valuable to help farmers maintain their commitment to conservation.
“It’s a win-win program!” said Kriese. “Our Yates County Soil and Water Conservation District AEM
Coordinator, Tom Eskildsen, provided the options and the education we needed to make improvements
on the farm that benefited our business, our neighbors and the environment.”
If you would like to schedule a free, confidential AEM Risk Assessment for your farm, contact your
County Soil and Water Conservation District. To learn more about AEM or to locate your Conservation
District office, visit www.nys-soilandwater.org.
Watch for future articles on how AEM can help you farm cleaner and greener!